As I have stated in previous blogs I am illiterate when it comes to hip hop. The course I am in has helped me to gain knowledge in the area and I am pleased with my new discoveries. However, I feel very confused at times. Here is one example of my confusion. When the class first began we paired up with partners for an assignment. By the grace of God I was lucky enough to be paired with someone fluent in hip hop. I felt comfortable enough with my partner, Brandon, to make a fool of myself to him and ask the difference between hip hop and rap. He reassured me that it was not a silly question and there was not that much of a difference it was just a sub category. So yesterday when someone said that you can be a hip hop artist with out being a rapper it boggled my mind. I am still quiet perplexed by this idea, but I see the difference. I think. It’s like if someone is good at beat boxing but can’t spit rhyme very well they are still apart of hip hop music. I’m sure there are other artists out there who are considered hip hop who do not rap, but I have been taking baby steps with this education. I have started to download some “old school” hip hop on to my ipod. I like to work out to it. However, with this new found education and listening to hip hop I cannot help but feel like a poser. I am not hip hop. I like the beats and sometimes I find the lyrics touching a part of my soul that gives me goose bumps, but this is not the real me. I wear cowboy boots on a regular basis. I was raised in a lower middle class white home with a preacher for a father and one extremely opinionated mother. I have two brothers who have never been shot, beat up, or a gang member. I am from Noble, Oklahoma and live on ten acres of farm land. How is that hip hop? What in me can relate with this music? I have never been through what most of the artist sing about in their songs, but it is my human nature and what I believe to be my compassion that can identify with the lyrics and beats of hip hop. Intrigued by a life style different from mine is what makes me want to listen more to the “ill” beats of Public Enemy and NWA. Is this going to make me forget that I grew up in boondocks and ride horses? No, because to me real is country, classic rock, and remembering that at heart I am a little bit white trash. As a human and a functioning member of society it is important to take a look at all walks of life and listen to what they are saying to society, and if at all possible help their cause once in awhile.
Videos interesting to me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8ddzDZP3Cs&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHIpyRG4f2g
Video that is home to me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXsjysiN8A0
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2 comments:
It is great to ask the questions. What is wrong with just listening to the music?
Hip-hop is an entire culture (or sub-culture if you want to be particular) in American society. The word “hip-hop” can also describe the genre of music that includes “rap”. Rap is also a verb. To rap is to talk in rhythm over music. The “soundtrack” of rap is the “beat”. The MC (or “emcee”) is the Master of Ceremonies. He is the dude that composes the words. MCs are the poets of hip-hop. They compose and direct the lyrical content. Beat-makers or producers are the ones composing the music part of the track or song. Beat-makers are also sometimes called beat-conductors or just conductors. Beat-makers might compose a raw version of a song, while the producer fine tunes the track and lays down backup vocals, sound effects, and engineers the track. DJs (disc jockeys) are usually involved only in playing, mixing, or modifying other artist’s work. DJ Eque, for example, is a prominent mix tape (or mix cd) producer. He basically takes other people’s tracks and lays them out in a style that suits him and his target audience. Mix tapes are sometimes themed, such as an unofficial compilation of a particular artist’s “greatest hits”. Remember that sometimes artists act as MCs, producers, and DJs either all at once, or by switching roles. If you know some of this stuff already, forgive me for insulting your intelligence.
Here are some examples to help you differentiate:
-J Dilla is a beat-maker and producer. He makes music for other people to talk over.
-Common is an MC. He writes the words. He is a poet.
-Dr. Dre used to be an rapper (the difference between a “rapper” and “MC” is subtle), but is now mostly a producer/beat-maker.
-Kanye West started out as a producer/beat-conductor, but now he has also taken on the role of MC, speaking over his own and many other artists’ tracks.
-Hi-Tek started out as a DJ, then became a producer, and has also been known to MC (just a little bit).
Hope this information helps.
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